Carton magazine



Jan. 1, 1957 D. c. ANDERSON CARTON MAGAZINE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 28, 1955 Uilm Jan. l, 1957 Filed Sept. 28;, 1955 D. C. ANDERSON CARTON MAGAZINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 J7 0 o Je o INVENTOR. Da/maa C.' A/afgso/v,

B Y www ATTORNEYS,

CARTON MAGAZINE Application September 28, 1955, Serial No. 537,239

Claims. (Cl. 198-37) The invention is directed to a carton magazine for presenting a horizontal stack or assembly of collapsed cartons to a squaring-up device or other'mechanism for operating on them. Such a squaring-up device is described in applicants copending United States applicationSerial No. 484,032; but this device in no way constitutes a limitation upon the present invention. Having been squaredup, the boxes may undergo various other operations, such as being filled with a measured quantity of contents, and then sealed.

As is well known in the art, cartons for the general purpose described come to the magazine in a folded and glued condition, i. e. with tubular bodies in the collapsed form, there being closure flaps articulated to the ends of the body walls.

In magazines of the previous art, the cartons were fed to the pick-o. point of the subsequent apparatuswit-h an intermittent motion, using a device that had the eifect of a ratchet and pawl. In the previous art, the magazine was so arranged as to feed the cartons at a rate somewhat greater than the pick-olf rate of the subsequent apparatus. At intervals controlled by the position of, and pressure on the lead carton, the pawl was caused to miss a stroke, thus overcoming the too rapid feed rate of the magazine and at the same time maintaining pressure on the lead carton. However, this equipment was difficult to maintain at high speeds and control of the pressure on the lead of the frame supports a pair of continuously moving conveyor chains upon which a horizontal stack or assembly of collapsed cartons is placed and caused to move toward a pick-olf point. The two-speed drive mechanism for the conveyor is supported from the underside of the frame.

The collapsed cartons are moved by the chains onto a table or brace across which they pass to the pick-olf point. The table may be equipped with a jogger mechanism such as the one described in United States Letters Patent No. 2,631,851. As the cartons reach the end of the table, they come in contact with restraining fingers which impede their forward motion. At this point, known as the pickoff point, the lead carton is taken up or picked-olf by a feeding and squaring-up device such as the one mentioned above, part of which is shown in Fig. l as a helical mechanism.

The frame of the carton magazine is connected to a support for the jogger table by an adjustable tension spring. If the two-speed drive of the carton magazine is operating at the high speed (i. e. if the cartons are being advanced at a rate greater than the pick-olf rate of the feeding and squaring-up device) a pressure is built up at the pick-ofi point and transmitted throughout the carton assembly. This pressure overcomes the force of the tension spring and causes the slidably mounted carton magazine frame to move away from the jogger table. A cam carton was not sufficient for use with high speed feeding f and squaring-up devices. y

It is the object of this invention` to overcomethe above mentioned diiculties by providing a continuouslymoving carton magazine with means for controlling the feed rate between two speeds, one slightly faster and one slightly slower than the pick-olf rate of the subsequent apparatus.

This and other objects ofthe invention, which will be set forth hereinafter or will be apparent to one'skilled in the art upon reading these specifications, are accomplished by that procedure and in the use of that mechanism of which an exemplary embodiment will now be described. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is-a side elevation of the carton magazine.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view showing the mounting means for the. carton magazine, together with switch means.

Fig. 3 is a partial sectional view taken along the section line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a partial sectional View taken along the section line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a partial sectional View taken alo-ng the section line 5-5 of Fig. l. y t i Fig. 6 is a plan View ofthe. drive mechanism of the carton magazine taken along the section ,line 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a sectionalview of the over-running clutch taken along the section line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

ln brief, the carton magazine hals'aframeyslidably mounted on tracks and ball bearing assemblies. The top moving with the magazine frame actuates a micro-switch which -shifts the conveyor drive to the low speed (i. e. the cartons are now advanced at a rate less than the pick-0E rate of the feeding and squaring-up device). At the low speed, the pressure on the carton assembly is reduced and the tension spring causes the magazine frame to move toward the jogger table. The interaction of the cam and micro-switch shifts the conveyor drive into the high speed, and the cycle is repeated.

In this manner, the two speeds of the drive mechanism and the -oscillation of the magazine over a. short distance, allow the carton magazine to operate continuously, and to maintain a sucient pressure (controlled by the tension of the adjustable spring) on the lead carton for use with a high speed squaring-up device.

Figures l and 5 show a horizontal frame 1 at either end of which is mounted a pair of sprockets 2 and 2. The sprockets drive a pair of chains 3 and 3 which slide along the` upper horizontal tracks 4 and 4 and the lower horizontal tracks `5 and 5. A removable block or backing device 6 is mounted on the chains 3 and 3 by means of lugs that extend down through the chain links. K

At the front of the magazine (Figs. l, 2 and 4) the frame 1 is mounted on a horizontal platform 7 by means of four extension bolts, two of` which are shown at 8 and 8', and two angle braces,` one of which is shown at 9. The platform 7 rests on two blocks 10 and 10 which support a shaft 11 with ball bearing assemblies 12 and 12' at either end. The ball bearing assembliesfroll on-tracks 13 and 13 which are adjustably mounted by screws 14 and 14 to blocks 15 and 15. The blocks are bolted to a horizontal frame 16 which in turn is bolted to a vertical stand 17.

The tracks 13 and 13 are similar in' construction; and Fig. 2 shows a detailed View of the track 13. The screw 14 runs through the elongated slot 18 in the track 13 and holds the track to the block 15. The track can be adjusted vertically by means of the adjusting screws 19 and 19 and nuts 20 and 20'.

The ball bearing assemblies 12 and 12' are kept from sliding transversely ofi` the tracks 13 and 13 by means of of side-guide ball bearing assemblies 21 and 21 which roll along either side` of the block 15 (Fig. 3). The ball bearing assemblies 21 and 21' are affixed to thetblock 22 which in turn is bolted to the horizontal platform 7. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art thatthe same elfect could be achieved by replacing the ball bearing assemblies 13 and 13 with greased slides, rolls, straight line linkages or other similar devices. Thus the ball bearing assemblies of the exemplary embodiment should in no way constitute a limitation on the invention.

A somewhat similar construction is to be found at the rear of the magazine. Figs. l and show the main frame 1 supported on a horizontal platform 23 by means of extension bolts 24 and 24'. The horizontal platform 23 rests on blocks 25 and 25' which support the shaft 26 with ball bearing assemblies 27 and 27 at either end. The ball bearing assemblies roll on tracks 28 and 2S' adjustably mounted to blocks 29 and 29'. The tracks 28 and 28 can be adjusted vertically by means of adjustment screws, two of which are shown at 30 and 30', and nuts, two of which are shown at 31 and 31 (Fig. 5). The blocks 29 and 29 are bolted to a horizontal frame 32 which in turn is bolted to a vertical stand 33. The ball bearing assemblies 27 and 27 are kept on the tracks 28 and 28 by side-guide ball bearing assemblies 34 and 34 affixed to the block 35, which in turn is bolted to the horizontal platform 23.

The drive mechanism for the feed magazine (Figs. l and 6) is mounted on the horizontal platform 7. A motor 36 is connected through a sprocket and chain 37 to a shaft 38. The shaft is connected to a magnetic clutch 39 by means of a high-speed sprocket and chain 40. The shaft 38 is also connected to an over-running clutch 41 by means of a low-speed sprocket and chain 42. A vsecond shaft 43 runs from the magnetic clutch 39 through the over-running clutch 41 to a gear box 44. The gear box drives a sprocket 45 on the shaft that bears the front pair of sprockets 2 of the conveyor by means of the chain 45.

The motor 36 drives the shaft 38 at a constant speed. When the magnetic clutch 39 is disengaged, the shaft 38 by means of the low-speed sprocket and chain 42 drives the outer rim 41 of the over-running clutch 41 (Figs. 6 and 7). Fig. 7 indicates the rim 41 as rotating in a counterclockwise direction. Through friction with the rim 41', the rods or balls a, b and c are then rolled in a counterclockwise direction and wedged between the rim 41 and the cam 46 which is permanently xed to the shaft 43. The shaft 43 is thus turned at the same speed as the rim 41', i. e. the speed of the low-speed sprocket and chain 42. This low-speed is transmitted by the shaft 43 to the gear box 44 and thence to the front pair of sprockets 2 of the magazine by the chain 45.

When the magnetic clutch is engaged, the high-speed sprocket chain 40 drivesl the shaft 43. The shaft and cam 46 turn faster than the rim 41 of the over-running clutch 41, and the rods or balls a, b and c roll back in a clockwise direction disengaging the rim and the cam, i. e. the overrunning clutch is disengaged from the shaft 43. The shaft 43 now transmits the high-speed through gear box 44 to the front pair of sprockets 2 of the feed magazine by the chain 45.

The magnetic clutch is actuated by a micro-switch 47 (Fig. 3), the arm of which is moved by a speed control cam 48. The speed control cam is adjustably mounted to the block 49 by means of the screws 50 and 50 through the elongated slot 51.

The block 49 is bolted to the block 22. It will be obvious to one skilled in the art that a double pole double throw switch and actuating cam, or a series of two or more switches could be employed, and further, that a twospeed motor or a magnetically or air operated clutch alternately engaging high and low speed drives would achieve the same two-speed elfect. Thus the drive and switch mechanisms of the above exemplary embodiment do not constitute limitations upon the broader aspects of the invention.

The frame 1 of the carton magazine is connected to the support, generally indicated at 52, of the joggers S3 and 54 by the tension spring 55. For purposes of clarity,

the joggers vibrate the jogger table 56. The table has side retainers, one of which is shown at 57. The restraining ngers 58 and 59 retain the cartons 60 at the pick-orf point, where they can be engaged by the helical members 61 and 62 of the squaring-up device.

ln operation, an assembly of collapsed cartons 60 is placed on the chains 3 and 3 of the carton magazine. The backing-up device 6 is set in place and the cartons are advanced toward the jogger table S6 and thence to the pick-off point. In the exemplary embodiment, if the magnetic clutch is engaged, the high-speed sprocket and chain cause the magazine to operate at the higher speed, which is a speed faster than the speed of removal of the cartons at the pick-off point. The arresting force of the ingers 58 and 59 is transmitted across the jogging table and overcomes the force of the tension spring S5, and the carton magazine slides backwards or away from the jogger table. The sliding speed control cam 48 eventually depresses the arm of the micro-switch 47, this disengaging the magnetic clutch 39. The over-running clutch 41 then takes over, and the magazine is driven by the lowspeed sprocket and chain 42. The pressure in the carton stack is reduced, and the magazine is pulled toward its forward position by the tension spring. At this point the speed control cam 48 has allowed the micro-switch arm to raise, and the magnetic clutch is once again engaged to repeat the cycle.

The invention having thus been described in an exemplary embodiment, what is claimed as new and is desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A carton magazine comprising a table over which cartons can move to a pick-off point, a frame reciprocable toward and away from said table, a conveyor mounted on said frame for delivering cartons to said table, adjustable backing means on said conveyor, alternative driving means for said conveyor having a speed faster than the normal pick-off rate and a speed slower than the norm-al pick-off rate, means for changing said speeds in accordance with the position of said frame, and means for urging said frame toward the table.

2. A carton magazine comprising a table over which cartons can move to a pick-olf point, an elongated frame mounted by means of rolling elements on horizontal, spaced tracks adjacent either end of said frame for limited reciprocating movement toward and away from said table, a conveyor mounted on said frame for delivering cartons to said table, adjustable backing means on said conveyor, alternative driving means for said conveyor having a speed faster than the normal pick-off rate and a speed slower than the normal pick-off rate, means for changing said speeds in accordance with the position of said frame on said tracks, and means for urging said frame toward said table.

3. The structure claimed in claim l in which said alternative driving means is mounted to the underside of said frame so as to move therewith.

4. The structure claimed in claim l in which said alternative driving means comprises an electric motor, high and low speed drives connected to said motor, and means for alternatively rendering said high and low speed drives eifective, said means being electrically controllable by switch means.

5. The structure claimed in claim l in which said alternative driving means comprises an electric motor, high and low speed drives connected to said motor, and means for alternatively rendering said high and low speed drives effective, said means being electrically controllable by switch means, said means for changing said speeds comprising said switch means mounted so as to be actuable in accordance with the position of said frame.

6. The structure claimed in claim 2 in which said alternative driving means is mounted to the underside of said frame so as to move therewith.

7. The structure claimed in claim 1 in which said alternative driving means comprises an electric motor, a first shaft connected to said motor, a second shaft in two parts mounted adjacent said rst shaft, one of said parts being connected to said conveyor, a high speed sprocket and chain system connecting said first shaft and One part of said second shaft, a low speed sprocket and chain system connecting said first shaft to the other part of said second shaft through an over running clutch, and a magnetic clutch located between the parts of said second shaft.

8. The structure claimed in claim 3 in which said alternative driving means comprises an electric motor, a first shaft connected to said motor, a second shaft in two parts mounted adjacent said rst shaft, one of said parts being connected to said conveyor, a high speed sprocket and chain system connecting said first shaft and one part of said second shaft, a low speed sprocket and chain system connecting said tirst shaft to the other part of said second shaft through an over running clutch, and a magnetic clutch located between the parts of said second shaft, said means for changing said speeds comprising a switch means for said magnetic clutch mounted so as to be actuable in accordance with the position of said frame.

9. The structure claimed in claim 6 in which said alternative driving means comprises an electric motor, a rst shaft connected to said motor, a second shaft in two parts mounted adjacent said first shaft, one of said parts connected to said conveyor, a high speed sprocket and chain system connecting said first shaft and one part of said second shaft, a low speed sprocket and chain system connecting said rst shaft to the other part of said second shaft through an over running clutch and a magnetic clutch located between the parts of said second shaft, said means for changing said speeds comprising a switch means for said magnetic clutch mounted so as to be actuable in accordance with the position of said frame.

10. A carton magazine comprising a table over which cartons can move to a pick-olf point, a jogger in connection with said table, an elongated frame mounted by means of rolling elements on horizontal, spaced tracks adjacent either end of said frame for limited reciprocating movement toward and away from said table, a conveyor mounted on said frame for delivering cartons to said table, adjustable backing means on said conveyor, an alternative driving means for said conveyor having a speed slower than the normal pick-ofi` rate and a speed faster than the normal pick-o rate, said alternative driving means mounted to the underside of said frame so as to move therewith, said alternative driving means comprises an electric motor, a first shaft connected to said motor, a second shaft in two parts mounted adjacent said first shaft, one of said parts being connected to said conveyor, a high speed sprocket and chain system connecting said rst shaft and one part of said second shaft, a low speed sprocket and chain system connecting said first shaft to the other part of said second shaft through an over running clutch to transmit the low speed to said second shaft, and a magnetic clutch located between the parts of said second shaft, a switch means for changing.

said speeds mounted so as to be actuated in accordance with the position of said frame and means for urging said frame toward the table.

No references cited. 

